The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

TWO of the Bahamas’ top Major League Baseball prospects went head-to- head in a series for the first time in the professional ranks.

Lucius Fox and his Augusta Greenjackets emerged with the 3-1 advantage over Anfernee Seymour and his Greensboro Grasshoppers in the in High-A in the South Atlantic League.

Fox finished the series 3-8 at the plate (.375) while Seymour finished 4-15 (.266).

 In the opener, the Greenjackets took a 9-0 win. Fox was not in the lineup but Seymour finished 1-4 in the leadoff spot for the Grasshoppers.

In game two, the Grasshoppers would get their lone win of the series in the best performance of the four-game set for both players.

Seymour went 2-5 with two runs scored while Fox made his debut going 2-3 in a 6-4 win for Greensboro.

Augusta returned to the win column in game three, 8-4.

Seymour went 1-4 and scored one run while Fox, in a DH role, went 0-2 but was walked three times, scored two runs and stole one base.

In the series finale, the Greenjackets won 2-0 with Fox 1-3 and walked once while Seymour was 0-2.

In 18 games thus far, Fox is hitting .224 with 13 runs scored, seven stolen bases, slugging .345 an on-base percentage of .357 and an OPS of .628.

Fox, who signed the largest contract in Bahamian baseball history, is currently the Giants top prospect and began his minor league career in High-A in the South Atlantic League, rather than rookie ball.

After an 0-3 start in game one, Fox had the best game of his young career in game two when he went 2-5 with a home run, five RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base.

The 6’2” 170-pound shortstop was the most anticipated signing of the Giants International Prospect class last July.

Seymour, who starred for the rookie Batavia Muckdogs in the Gulf Coast League last season where he played in 64 games at shortstop with a batting average of .273, was called up earlier this month to the Single A Greensboro Grasshoppers.

The 20-year-old, 5’11” 165 pound Seymour was taken by the Marlins with the 197th pick in round seven of the 2014 MLB Draft.

This offseason he has moved up from the Marlins’ No.26 top prospect to No.13.

In 23 games thus far, Seymour is hitting .170 with 11 runs scored, 10 stolen bases, slugging .170, an on-base percentage of .235 and an OPS of .406.

“Where I was last year, there was no one to really play for,” said Seymour as he was quoted on the MLB website, “So you really have to focus and get zoned in. Now that you have fans, you have something to play for - people cheering you on. It’s really fun and really makes you want to play every day. I didn’t know I had this many fans.”

Seymour also represented Batavia in the Mid-Season All-Star Classic, but is hoping to make a greater impact as he begins his Class A campaign with Greensboro.

“I’m getting used to it,” said Seymour about his playing time, “Now, it’s more fun playing every day, playing under the lights, playing the game against real good competition. It feels good and I’m enjoying myself and working hard every day.”